Researchers on Wednesday reported new evidence strengthening the association between Zika virus and a spike in birth defects, citing the presence of the virus in the brain of an aborted foetus of a European woman who became pregnant while living in Brazil.
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Dr. David Hughes said cases of pregnancy aside, the Zika virus usually results in a mild infection, and 80 percent of those infected often do not get serious symptoms. The Zika virus, which is transmitted by mosquitos and is widespread in Brazil, has been linked to devastating birth defects and in recent weeks has been causing global alarm after spreading beyond the Americas.
While this study adds to the mounting speculation that the Zika virus heightens the risk of cases of microcephaly, Guillain-Barré syndrome and visual lesions, this study is cautious.
Public Health England said it was monitoring various surveillance systems and tracking women who call in with concerns about the virus.
With no treatment or vaccine available, the only protection against Zika is to avoid travel to Zika-affected areas.
But the increase of cases and birth defects in Brazil in the past year – suspected to exceed more than 4,100 – has prompted health officials to warn pregnant women or those thinking of becoming pregnant to take precautions or consider delaying pregnancy.
For definitive proof, however, she said more studies are needed. A post-abortion autopsy found the Zika virus in the fetus’ brain but, remarkably, no other organs, reported researchers from the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia. The laboratory is one of the few in the world that has the original strain of the Zika virus discovered in Uganda in 1947.
Hellerstedt said that the known Zika-carrying mosquito species isn’t easily killed by aerial sprays, so must be killed at a close range in a confined area.
Tabachnick says there’s no data showing where the species might be and where it’s most prominent.
The woman returned to Europe late in her pregnancy, when scans diagnosed microcephaly.
Catholics for Choice, a liberal advocacy group based in Washington, said in a statement it would run ads in the International New York Times and El Diario de Hoy in El Salvador on Thursday, the eve of a papal trip to Cuba and Mexico.
“I go back at least once a year to compete there, and I compete with them in the World Championships and South American Games”, Abreu said.
The professor says your risk of contracting the virus could vary depending on where in Florida you live, and it depends on many factors.
Currently, specimens from those possibly infected are sent to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
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“We will likely see significant numbers of cases in Puerto Rico and other United States territories”, CDC Director Dr Tom Frieden told the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee hearing.
